“I’m drawn to my papakaainga at Ihumaatao because my nieces and nephews don’t experience what I experienced. The fishing spots, the orchards. Wiped out by local industry. But we’ve still got our home.”
Her passion for her mahi at Makaurau Marae Nursery spans many generations, and builds by the year. “I know what it’s like to see a generation break. Regeneration is seeing people come back together and grow. Our mokopuna will come here and be proud of their nana, aunty, cousins who did this mahi.”
At 23 years, Ceejay already has a long history connecting with plants and their healing gifts for people and the whenua. She’s followed her aunties since she was young. “I’ve been in environmental mahi since 2009, and I was only 9 years old. Aunty Tracey would get me to put plants in pots. I grew fond of it. Everywhere I went, I was like, I’ve planted that before. It just kept growing. I’m grateful for my aunties, Kowhai and Tracey, who weaved me into this path. Now I feel more in relation to te taiao.”
The joy of being amongst the trees has been nothing less than life saving. “I went through a real rough patch last year when my nan passed away. I was a wreck. The plants really helped me. When I jumped into this mahi, it opened up a light. A vision to whakaoranga myself. To be healthy and wise in myself. It’s changed me. My perspective on life. Seeing myself reflected in the plants, growing, flourishing.” A beautiful reminder of the hope and discernment that comes with grounding in the whenua.
Ceejay is able to share her deepest vulnerabilities and bring tears of laughter in the same sentence. “People have been so welcoming to me. I tell myself I can be like that too. I’ve always been a loving person. My nan reminded me that by saying ‘kia ora’ the way I do, it could change someone's whole perspective of their day.” The warmth of her manaaki puts you immediately at ease.
For Ceejay, meeting new people on planting days and waananga is always a highlight. “Engaging with people is a huge skill I have learnt. I can stand in a room of people who don’t know anything about te ao Maaori, and feel confident introducing myself and speaking about it. Being in this mahi has expanded my vision.”
Learning on the job is crucial for upskilling and sharing her passion. “I’m a do-er. I can’t sit in a space where I have to read and keep my mouth closed, like a lecture. I have a lot of opinions around mahi in te taiao.” Frequent opportunities to engage with whakaaro Maaori relating to mahi tiaki taiao allows for this koorero to be free-flowing.
Ceejay thrives through regular immersion in waananga. “The best waananga was with Ihirangi Heke, simply because I could relate to Atua Maaori. The koorero with Donna Kerridge is one I carry with me. She gave me a better understanding of how rongoaa can work for an individual and for whaanau. That rongoaa can be your whaanau.” Ceejay reminds us healing of self comes with healing the whenua.
For Ceejay, it’s important these kaupapa are driven by rangatahi. “I’m an advocate for rangatahi to facilitate these spaces. I can project this passion. I have nieces and nephews that follow me everywhere. It changes my whole being. I’d love my own team with people the same age. I want to help rangatahi get into the same sector as me.”
Ceejay sees value in making connections between different ages and perspectives. “I think we have a big impact on these people that sit in an office. Business people are like, I don’t know what you are talking about, but it’s interesting. It’s normal for me to bounce between English and te reo Maaori. Two world views''. Ceejay embodies the importance of reflective practice.
Her impact is self-evident. “I asked the landscaper from Goodman Property how long it took him to become qualified because I want to be one. He said it’s about what you know, and you know your plants. You don’t need a piece of paper to get you the name ‘landscaper’. You already are one.”
Ceejay exudes gratitude for the relationships that nurture this kaupapa. “I appreciate the partnership with the nursery, Te Pu A Ngaa Maara and SBN. This year we have gotten a lot stronger. Knowing that there is a team driving the programme warms my heart.” Speaking with Ceejay is like remembering the feeling of hope for the world. She radiates a love for the whenua that lights the way.